122 ■ Dr. Kane on the Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. 



XV. OF THE MESITIC CHLORAL. 



The action of chlorine on mesitic alcohol has been examined by Matteuchi 

 and by Liebig ; the latter celebrated chemist has described with great accuracy 

 the properties of the heavy oily matter thus formed, and to which I give the 

 name of the Mesitic Chloral. He likewise published an analysis of it, which differs 

 very little from the truth, although he states expressly that he does not bring it 

 forward as correct, but merely as proving that the fluid in question contains 

 chlorine, which Matteuchi had strenuously denied. The action of chlorine on 

 pyroacetic spirit is accompanied by the disengagement of a large quantity of 

 muriatic acid gas ; when the action has entirely ceased, the liquor must be boiled 

 to drive off the excess of muriatic acid which remains dissolved, and then dried 

 by digestion on chloride of calcium. It can scarcely be distilled without under- 

 going alteration, becoming dark-coloured and opaque, while muriatic acid gas is 

 disengaged. It boils at about 260°. Its odour is excessively irritating to the 

 nose and eyes, producing profuse weeping, which lasts for several days ; and some 

 of it having accidentally spilled on the hand, produced reddening and vesication 

 as complete as that by cantharides, but much more tedious in healing. On 

 analysis: 



A. 0.930 material gave 



B. 0.880 gave 



0.251 water. 

 0.958 carbonic acid. 



2.028 chloride of silver. 



Hence results the composition 



Carbon 



Liebig's analysis gave 



= 28.48 

 Hydrogen = 3.00 

 Chlorine = 56.83 

 Oxygen = 11-69 



Carbon = 28.0 



Hydrogen = 2.8 



Chlorine = 52.6 



Oxygen = 16.6 



100.0. 



100.0. 



